PET BEHAVIOR

Top 4 Dog Behavior Questions

Three Minutes
Apr 19, 2022

Does your dog do some strange things?  Check out some tips for the top 4 dog behavior questions asked to dog trainers and pet behavior specialists.

1. What Do I do if my Dog Keeps Barking?

This is called “alarm barking”. This type of barking normally stops and the dog calms down after the person is inside your home.

Another type of barking is simply from excitement. Does your dog get excited when you get home from work? This is anticipation of fun things to come now that you’re home! However, the over the top barking can get out of hand and bother visitors or neighbors, and hurt your ears.

To reduce the noise, try to create calmer approach when guests are coming over. Keep the dog separated or in another room until the dog is calm, then allow them greet your visitor.

2. What Do I Do if my Dog Reacts to Other Dogs?

Your dog could be frustrated because they just want to play! This is why socialization at an early age is so important. To help with socialization, you can do the following:

  • Set up play dates with the neighbors’ dogs
  • Take your dog to a dog park
  • Drop them off at doggy day care for a few hours

If you are in public, and your dog becomes aggressive, carry treats to distract your dog. As soon as your dog sees another dog, give your pup a treat so your dog will be focused on you and the treat, and not the other dog. This will create a positive association when he/she sees another dog.

3. How Do I Housebreak a Senior Dog

It’s back to the basics. Whether your dog is a puppy, or a senior, you need to go back to the basics of potty training.

Don’t let your dog loose in the house without proper supervision. If you’re going to move around a lot while your home and have your dog inside with you, tether a leash so your dog can be near and with you at all times. Another option is to crate your dog. A few weeks of crate training can equal a lifetime of a housetrained and happy dog.

When your dog does do their business outside – REWARD them!

4. What Do I Do if my Dog Seems to have Excess Energy?

Many breeds have “excess” energy. This simply means they want a job and if you don’t give them one, they will make one of their own. Digging holes in the yard, destroying the couch or barking all day long are some of the ways they will try to burn off this energy.

You need to stimulate your dog to wear them out. Here are some quick ideas:

  • Take them to a park for 20 minutes
  • Put their food in a puzzle bowl or in a Kong
  • Game of fetch

These small things will help stimulate your dog’s body and mind, and help relieve their excess energy.

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Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances. 

1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.